The Aftermath of Chaos
Joonho didn't take his golf humiliation well.
By Monday morning, I found my locker vandalized with the words "Know your place" scrawled in what I hoped was red marker. Classy.
Minjae whistled as he examined the damage. "Damn. Someone's pissed."
I shrugged and peeled off the note stuck to the door. "At least he didn't key my scooter. That thing's my pride and joy."
The note read:
"Enjoy your victory while it lasts. —P.J."
"Ooooh, initials. How dramatic," I muttered, crumpling it into my pocket.
Minjae nudged me. "Speaking of dramatic… incoming."
I turned just as Haewon rounded the corner, her usual entourage of bodyguards replaced by a single, harried-looking assistant struggling to keep up with her furious pace.
"Kim Dojin." She stopped in front of me, arms crossed. "We need to talk."
Minjae wisely bolted.
---
The "Study Session"
Haewon dragged me to an empty classroom and slammed the door.
"Joonho's planning something," she said, pacing. "He called my father last night."
I leaned against a desk. "And?"
"And I got a two-hour lecture about 'proper behavior' and 'choosing suitable company.'" She made air quotes so aggressively I thought her fingers might snap off.
I smirked. "Aw. Daddy doesn't approve of me?"
She threw a whiteboard eraser at my head. I ducked.
"This isn't funny! If Joonho convinces my father to cut off my trust fund—"
"Wait." I held up a hand. "You're actually worried about money?"
She froze. For the first time since I'd met her, Yoon Haewon looked… vulnerable.
"I've never not had it," she admitted quietly.
The confession hung between us. I didn't know what to say—so I deflected.
"Well. Good thing you've got me to teach you how to live like a peasant, huh?"
She rolled her eyes, but the tension eased. "Shut up. And help me study. My economics midterm is tomorrow, and I'm failing."
I blinked. "You're what?"
"I SAID SHUT UP."
---
The Tutoring Disaster
Two hours later:
- Haewon had highlighted an entire textbook (again).
- I'd drawn doodles of Joonho's face on sticky notes (stuck to the wall like a wanted poster).
- We'd consumed approximately six energy drinks between us.
"Okay," I said, rubbing my temples. "Let's try this again. What's the law of supply and demand?"
Haewon stared blankly. "When… rich people want something, they get it?"
I facepalmed. "I'm revoking your chaebol card."
She kicked my shin under the table. "Explain it better, then!"
I grabbed a chocolate bar from my bag and split it in half. "Okay. Imagine this is the last chocolate on earth."
"Gross. It's melted."
"Focus. If there's only one left, what happens to the price?"
She hesitated. "It… goes up?"
"Ding ding ding!" I tossed her the half. "Now you're getting it."
She caught it, surprised. "That's it?"
"That's it." I grinned. "Economics is just explaining why rich people ruin everything."
She snorted—then quickly tried to hide it.
---
The Almost-Date
As we packed up, Haewon suddenly said, "There's a new dessert café near campus. I heard their soufflé pancakes are… acceptable."
I paused. "Are you asking me to get food with you?"
She refused to look at me. "I'm saying I'm hungry. Interpret it however you want."
I smirked. "Sounds like a date, princess."
"IT'S NOT A—"
"Six PM. Don't be late." I slung my bag over my shoulder and strolled out before she could argue.
---
The Jealousy Games
Of course, it couldn't be that simple.
As I left the building, Park Joonho leaned against my scooter, smirking.
"Cute ride," he said, flicking the handlebars. "I could buy ten of these with pocket change."
I yanked my keys out. "Congrats. Want a medal?"
His smirk faded. "Stay away from Haewon. She's mine."
I laughed in his face. "Wow. You really are a K-drama villain."
His expression darkened. "You'll regret this."
"Looking forward to it." I revved the engine and sped off, leaving him coughing in my exhaust.
---
The Teaser
Next Up:
- The "Not-Date" Café Disaster ("Why is there a photographer here?!")
- Joonho's Revenge Escalates (Scooter sabotage?)
- Haewon's Secret (Why is she really failing economics?)
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